At The Black Cat Tea Shop, the environment is our highest priority! All of our teas are made exclusively with certified organic ingredients from our suppliers, meaning they rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible. Most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited from use. We are also committed to using Fair Trade Certified ingredients, wherever possible. The labels we use are made from 100% recycled paper, processed chlorine free, and have a recycling compatible adhesive. Therefore, they can be recycled with other paper products. The packaging we use is made from 50# basis Natural Kraft paper, with paper liner and tin-tie closure. They can be composted or recycled with other paper products, once the tin-tie is removed. Our shipping packages and paper filling are fully recyclable! We try to reuse shipping materials from packages we receive wherever possible to reduce waste. As we are always looking to improve, if you have any other suggestions or questions related to sustainability, we'd love to hear from you!

At The Black Cat Tea Shop, we believe businesses have a responsibility to give back to the community. Therefore, we are committed to donating 10% portion of profits each year to three organizations that align with our values: sustainability, animal welfare, and food relief: Armenia Tree Project "ATP’s mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the global environment. In doing so, we are guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. We continue to plant with hope for the future, provide economic opportunities and economic security to our people, help to stabilize border villages, and preserve and enrich our country’s environment." Sean Casey Animal Rescue "Sean Casey Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill shelter specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of dogs, cats, reptiles, birds and small mammals. Our rescue takes in over 2,000 animals per year, the most of any other private rescue in New York. We have saved over 8,000 animals just from the city’s Animal Care & Control (ACC) since 1998." World Central Kitchen "World Central Kitchen (WCK) is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served hundreds of millions of nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need efficiently and with dignity. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis."

To preserve the color and taste of tea, it's best to store them in airtight containers in a dark and cool place, such as a drawer or cupboard. We chose our packaging with this in mind, as each stand-up pouch is fully covered (no see-through window). All our teas are best enjoyed within two years.

Below are some basic guidelines for brewing loose leaf tea. At the end of the day, every tea (and desired strength) is different, so it's best to brew according to your own personal preferences. Take some time to experiment! For a single cup of hot tea: Pour water over 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea. Let steep for... Herbal teas: 5+ minutes Black teas: 4-5 minutes Green teas: 2-3 minutes White teas: 1-3 minutes Check out our blog post for more info!

Orders will be shipped via USPS, so please allow 3-5 business days for delivery. You will receive order and shipping confirmation via email.

Due to the nature of our products, we cannot accept any returns. If you receive the wrong items or they are damaged, we will happily replace the tea, free of charge. We include a description of the taste or feeling you can expect with each tea on our website, but if you simply don't enjoy the tea you ordered (it can happen!), give it to a friend or family member who might. We'd love to work with you to choose a tea better suited to your tastes, or make a custom blend for your needs!